The Verizon Building Saga
The Verizon Building between 4th and 5th on Fayette and Borough Hall at 8th and Fayette were back in the news this week. The back story….Borough Hall has historically been located in an old mansion at 8th and Fayette. This property has a mold issue in the upper floors and several studies have been undertaken and the issue remains unresolved. The Borough offices are now at a rented office space behind Washington Fire Company, however, the Borough Council meetings are held at the 8th and Fayette location. A few year’s ago the Borough bought the Verizon Building. There were hopes to put the Borough offices there, however, they have also attempted to attract an outright buyer, someone to build senior housing or a grocery store such as Trader Joe’s. To top it off, the Verizon Building needs a new roof. The Borough is now in a bind because they have to give six months notice to end their lease and neither location is currently suitable to house the Borough offices.
Since I am sick of hearing about this, its time for some tough love. Knock the Verizon Building down. No one wants it. Sell it as land. Take the loss financially, but make sure whoever buys it will develop it in a way to help restore some of the historic nature of Fayette Street and bring in a business(es) or housing that will be good for the Borough. A nice half block of retail shops with condos or office space above would be nice.
And yes, I know I am over simplifying it, but making it complicated hasn’t worked either. Knock it down! I am sure the Borough Council members do not want to take the loss, because it could potentially make them look bad for ever buying it and losing money. However, if you agree with me, tell your Borough Council member to “knock it down”. Its your money that is being lost, not theirs.
Take the money from the sale and fix up Borough Hall at 8th and Fayette. Since the recent sale of the historic home at 6th and Fayette has caused such an uproar, there is no way anyone is going to propose knocking down the equally historic Borough Hall just two blocks away. Fixing it up is really the only solution, hopefully it will end up a wash financially. Yes, I realize this requires spending a great deal of money.
Issue solved, so back to bar specials and fun topics:
News & Gossip
Getting married? Mayor Frost can perform the ceremony…as long as you aren’t drunk.
Conshohocken Catholic School is celebrating Catholic Schools Week this week. The school has also launched a drama club.
Ryah Yoga’s Maura Manzo raised $20,000 to help with AIDS in Africa. She is now in Africa seeing her efforts put to use. You can follow her journey on her blog.
Plymouth Auto Repair owner Al Torcini offered a free automotive makeover to a local person in need.
A story on the Wissahickon Ski Club on Barren Hill Road.
Some guy bought a book in Conshohocken.
As we have reported before, Blackfish’s Chip Roman is opening a second restaurant in Chestnut Hill. It was originally going to be call The Stonehouse, but now it has been renamed Mica. It is supposed to open in March.
Nancy DeStolfo of DeStolfo’s Premier Martial Arts & Karate was recognized in the Fitadelphia issue of Philadelphia Magazine as one of the 10 fitness instructors you should now. She was recognized for her cardio kickboxing class.
Tommy and Paul, the owners of Pepperoncini, are opening a second restaurant in Phoenixville at the corner of Main and Bridge. It will be called Pepperoncini Soto (which means downstairs). It is on the lower level of the Mainstay Hotel. They hope to open in March. Pictured above is their dining room still under construction.
I swear it wasn’t me.
The space at 804 Fayette appears to have been leased. It was empty for a long time. It was formally a dress shop and now will be a showroom for office furniture. A for lease sign went up today at the space next to Scoops, between 5th and 6th on Fayette, where a tailor has been for less than two years.
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Mike Gerrow, general manager of Flanigan’s Boathouse, was quoted in a story about restaurant software.
Foodie Events
Every Tuesday, Blackfish offers a four course dinner featuring a different ingredient. You can see the upcoming featured ingredients here. Price is $45 per person. Call 610-397-0888 for more info.
Georges Perrier is coming to Blackfish on February 28th to create a meal with Chip Roman. Find all the details here.
Trattoria Totaro is holding a Wild Game Night on March 10 and 11. There will be five courses of uniquely prepared wild game paird with micro brews.
The beer pairing dinner for February 9th at Spamps has been postponed. So if you were planning to go contact Spamps for the new date.
The Spring Mill Cafe is holding a Wine Tasting of south west France with The Wine Merchant on February 24th at 7:00 p.m. The wines will be paired with a four course meal. The cost is $55.00, plus tax and gratuity.
Stella Blu has planned a month for Lobster Lovers. Find all the details here.
Candy of the Week
Edwards Freeman Nut Company has a wide variety of gifts for Valentine’s Day.
Valentine’s Day
The Piatto Grille (BYOB) is offering a three course meal for $70.00 per couple on Sunday and Monday evenings. Entree choices include Mushroom Ravioli, Chicken Picatta, Pork Bracciole or Petit Filet Mignon. Call (610) 825-1300 for reservations.
Trattoria Totaro is offering a five course take out menu for Valentine’s Day for $75.00 per couple. The entree choices include Rack of Lamb, Pescatore, Veal or Chicken Val d’Asta, Petite Filet, Shrimp and Scallop Scampi, or Veal or Chicken Vivian. Orders must be placed by February 13th. Pick-up is at 6:00 p.m. Call (610) 828-7050.
Stella Blu and Gypsy Saloon have created two Valentine’s Day Aphrodisiac Menus that are sure to stimulate the appetite and inspire the heart. Menus will be offered Friday, February 11th through Monday, February 14th. Gypsy Saloon and Stella Blu’s a la carte menus will also be available. You can find more details here.
8 East is having a fixed priced menu for Valentine’s Day weekend. The menu will be up on their Facebook page tomorrow morning.
Ryah Yoga is having has some Valentine’s Day specials. They are holding a “Yoga of the Heart” on February 13th from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., an event with a dietician titled “Discover the Food of the Gods: Chocolate” on February 16th from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.; plus a Partner Yoga class and “yummy” chocolate facials. Call (610) 834-1551 for more details.
Lavenders Body Care Clinic has a bunch of specials for Valentine’s Day weekend including a Strawberry Facial followed by a Chocolate Cake or Raspberry Chocolate massage. For all the details and specials click here.
Events & Happenings
Want to know where you can hear live music, play quizzo or sing karaoke? Check out the Conshy Calendar by clicking the box above.
Boxing champ Joe Frazier will be at Totaro’s tonight (2/9/11) at 9:00 p.m. to be a guest on The Boxing Show hosted by Henry Racich.
Jack and Brian Coll are hosting a second History Night to benefit the Colonial Neighborhood Council on Friday February 11th starting at 5:30 p.m. The evening will be held at SS Cosmas and Damian’s church hall and will include cocktails, dinner and a historical slide show. Tickets are $45.00 per person and are available at Coll’s Custom Framing located at 324 Fayette Street or The Colonial Neighborhood Council on East 4th Avenue. Bring a canned good to be entered into a special raffle. For more info call Jack or Brian at 610-825-7072.
Spamps has a special martini all during February called a “Puppy-tini.” One dollar from the sale of every Puppy-tini will go the Pennsylvania SPCA.
The Outbound Station, which opened as a coffee shop, has really blossomed into a place for lunch. Monday through Friday they have a special themed station. Monday they have juice bar, Tuesday is a Mexican Bar (nachos and taco salads), Wednesday is pasta, Thursday is Mexican again with tacos, and Friday features wraps.
Starting February 16th, LeRoux School of the Arts is launching Hip Hop Aerobics. Cost is $10.00 or take Hip Hop Aerobics and Zumba together and save $5.00. You must sign up for the first class only.
Single on Valentine’s Day? Guppy’s is hosting “Get Lucky at Guppy’s” on Monday night from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. It will be a casual event and on special will be $2.00 Miller Light drafts. DJ Dan will be spinning. Robin may even buy some shots.
Baggataway’s is hosting a “Screw Valentine’s Day party” with $5.00 Chocolate Martini’s, $5.00 Pearfect Kiss Martini’s and a rose for the single ladies that attend.
The Conshohocken Cafe has a unique promotion going on. If you see something in their cafe, especially the salt and pepper shakers, you can offer a trade for it. To submit a trade, bring in an item of equal or greater value and you will have to go up against a jury of three staff members from the cafe. If they approve, the trade goes through, if not, you can still enjoy a great meal.
Maloney’s Pub has scheduled live music for a bunch of upcoming Wednesday and Friday nights. The line-up includes Ziggy Issacs on February 16th, March 2nd and March 16th from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., The Other Side (6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.) and Chris Lebresco (9:45 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.) on February 25th, The Other Side on March 11th from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., and Brian and Danny on April 1st and May 13th at time TBD.
Flanigan’s Boathouse is participating in the Main Line Restaurant Week in April. The menu will be announced closer to the promotion.
Real Estate
A 2010 real estate market review from 19428homes.com.
Business News
West Conshohocken’s Infinity Publishing, a pioneer in self-publishing, today announced the introduction of OneBook (http://blog.infinitypublishing.com/onebook-program/), a unique All-in-One offering for independent authors that allows them to publish their book in print, eBook and audio book formats.
Conshohocken’s Apollo Health Street, a developer of world-class solutions that tackle healthcare’s toughest financial challenges, recently announced the addition of sales expert Costa Alvanos as a vice president of provider solution sales for the company.
Dean Jerrehian, founder and chief executive of JadeYoga, a high-end yoga-mat manufacturer in Conshohocken, was included in a story on the New York Times’ website.
Brain-Pad Inc of Conshohocken is now offering NatureZone, a UV ozone sanitizing chamber for dental appliances and mouthguards.